Chapter 1: A Teacher's Self-Reflection

It’s possible that I might be one of the finest high school history teachers to have ever existed.

If you’ve been following my writings, you may have detected a persistent thread of self-doubt woven throughout. While it may not be outright self-hatred, it's certainly a struggle with my own sense of worth.

Here are some of the reasons I often feel inadequate:

I often grapple with feelings of failure, particularly regarding my relationship status, despite having experienced many relationships in the past.

A woman once pushed me to reconsider the foundation of my writings, encouraging me to take the opposite approach. It reminded me of that memorable Seinfeld episode where George Costanza decides to act contrary to his instincts. That’s exactly the path I’m taking in this post.

I won’t delve into my teaching credentials (you can refer to my bio for that), but I can assure you that my students are captivated and engaged in class.

This marks a pivotal moment for me, akin to a personal revelation. I’ve often shied away from acknowledging my own abilities, fearing that such recognition would mean accepting that I truly possess a gift—perhaps even that I have a unique purpose here on Earth.

Gradually, I am beginning to embrace this notion. I am starting to see that I have more value than I previously believed.

As I’ve shared before, it doesn't matter that I was a Valedictorian or that I hold two Master's degrees or own a lavish home. All of those external accolades don’t contribute to my internal sense of worth.

The only thing that has helped me feel better about myself is the bravery to express my emotions, to apologize when necessary, and to face the challenges life presents.

It is through this introspection that I have come to recognize my capabilities as a teacher. I attribute this newfound belief to the countless students I have taught over the past 15 years who have expressed their appreciation for my teaching.

Every student I’ve interacted with consistently shares how much they miss my class, longing for the critical thinking skills we explored together. They reminisce about the nuances and complexities they encountered, missing not the facts, but the concepts themselves.

F*ck Facts. Education Should Inspire Critical Thinking.

I've spent the last month engaging my high school students in this very idea, day after day.

They didn’t miss the easy answers provided in other classes; rather, they longed for the confusion and complexity that characterized my lessons. This isn’t about indoctrination, whether liberal or conservative—it’s simply about effective teaching, reminiscent of Socratic or Christ-like methods.

Effective teaching revolves around posing questions instead of delivering straightforward answers. It encourages students to challenge their own viewpoints, as well as those of others.

This leads me to a newfound belief: while I may not be the greatest history teacher in history, I certainly believe I could be among the best in Oregon.

So, to the woman who urged me to focus on my strengths rather than my shortcomings, how's that for personal growth? ;)

Chapter 2: The Impact of Teaching

The video titled "Inspirational Video- Be a Mr. Jensen- MUST WATCH!! - YouTube" serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative impact teachers can have on their students. It's a call to embrace our strengths and inspire others through our unique gifts.

In this journey of self-discovery, I am learning to celebrate my contributions and the profound effect I can have on my students.